Search location by ZIP code

Dozens of seniors remain displaced after fire, water damage in Plymouth

Dozens of seniors remain displaced after fire, water damage in Plymouth

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 11:31 PM EST Feb 17, 2019

Hide TranscriptShow Transcript

WEBVTT CROSS ARE TEAMING UP TOGETHER TO HELP THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE FIRE. MORE THAN A HALF-DOZEN PEOPLE AND THREE PETS ARE NOW STAYING AT THE TOWNHALL. THESE ARE ALL SENIOR CITIZENS AND THEY ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE COLD. MANNING THE SHELTER IS TO OUR BENEFIT. TI A FIRE BROKE OUT INSIDE THE PLYMOUTH TERRACE UPPER NEWS. >> THESE FOLKS WERE IN NEED OF HOUSING. WE HAVE OPENED UP THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER. TIM: FROM THE OUTSIDE, IT LOOKS LIKE ALL IS WELL AT THE COMPLEX BUT OFFICIALS SAY THE INSIDE IS A DIFFERENT STORY. FIREFIGHTERS WERE CALLED TO THE LOCATION SATURDAY MORNING AFTER A KITCHEN FIRE STARTED IN A THIRD FLOOR APARTMENT. IT WAS MOSTLY KNOCKED OUT BY AN AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM THOUGH THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE. >> WE HAVE HEARD THAT THE CLEANING PROCESS BEFORE THEY CAN GO BACK TO WHERE THEY LIVED WILL BE ANOTHER 2-3 DAYS. TIM: THE TOWN AND THE RED CROSS ARE PROVIDING A COMFORTABLE STAY FOR THE RESIDENTS. >> THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN DINNER. WE HAVE ALSO PROVIDED MEALS HERE AT THE TOWNHALL. >> WE ARE PROVIDING THE SHELTERING AREA, A SAFE HAVEN FOR THEM. TIM: THE TOWN OF TILTON IS ALSO LENDING A HELPING HAND. ITS SEN

Advertisement

Dozens of seniors remain displaced after fire, water damage in Plymouth

The American Red Cross is stepping in to help several senior citizens who have been displaced after a fire broke out at a Plymouth apartment complex. The fire happened Saturday morning at the Plymouth Terrace Apartments on Adrians Way.From the outside, all appears well at the 30-unit complex, but officials said the inside is a different story.Officials said a kitchen fire started in a third-floor apartment. The fire was knocked out quickly by the building's sprinkler system, but the complex had severe water damage, making it uninhabitable for the time being and leaving 25 residents without a place to live."We just heard (Sunday) that the cleanup process before they can go back to where they live will be another two to three days," Plymouth Town Administrator Paul Freitas said. Some residents are staying with friends or relatives, but half a dozen and three pets are now at a makeshift shelter at the town hall. "These are all senior citizens. They're more susceptible to the cold. So when we can open up a shelter like this and man it, that's to their benefit and to ours," said Gary Jobes, of American Red Cross - New Hampshire and Vermont."These folks were in need of housing. We opened our emergency operations center and allowed them to stay here," said William Bolton, Plymouth Selectboard chair.The town and the Red Cross are working together to provide what they can do to create a comfortable stay for the residents."Real good care. We have the Pemi Bridge House in town that's giving them dinner. We provide the meals here at the town hall. We're prepared to do this," Freitas said."The town is providing the meals and all, but we're providing the sheltering area, the bedding. We have snacks, warm drinks, warm food for them. A safe haven for them to be at,” Jobes said.The town of Tilton is also lending a helping hand. Its senior center and town hall are hoping to start a fundraiser.The shelter will likely remain open until Wednesday.

PLYMOUTH, N.H. —

The American Red Cross is stepping in to help several senior citizens who have been displaced after a fire broke out at a Plymouth apartment complex.

The fire happened Saturday morning at the Plymouth Terrace Apartments on Adrians Way.

Advertisement

From the outside, all appears well at the 30-unit complex, but officials said the inside is a different story.

Officials said a kitchen fire started in a third-floor apartment.

The fire was knocked out quickly by the building's sprinkler system, but the complex had severe water damage, making it uninhabitable for the time being and leaving 25 residents without a place to live.

"We just heard (Sunday) that the cleanup process before they can go back to where they live will be another two to three days," Plymouth Town Administrator Paul Freitas said.

Some residents are staying with friends or relatives, but half a dozen and three pets are now at a makeshift shelter at the town hall.

"These are all senior citizens. They're more susceptible to the cold. So when we can open up a shelter like this and man it, that's to their benefit and to ours," said Gary Jobes, of American Red Cross - New Hampshire and Vermont.

"These folks were in need of housing. We opened our emergency operations center and allowed them to stay here," said William Bolton, Plymouth Selectboard chair.

The town and the Red Cross are working together to provide what they can do to create a comfortable stay for the residents.

"Real good care. We have the Pemi Bridge House in town that's giving them dinner. We provide the meals here at the town hall. We're prepared to do this," Freitas said.

"The town is providing the meals and all, but we're providing the sheltering area, the bedding. We have snacks, warm drinks, warm food for them. A safe haven for them to be at,” Jobes said.

The town of Tilton is also lending a helping hand. Its senior center and town hall are hoping to start a fundraiser.